Chelsea’s defensive line faces a potential setback as they gear up for the upcoming season. The star defender Wesley Fofana has become a source of concern due to a troublesome knee injury, putting his availability for the start of the campaign in doubt.
The Premier League side is embarking on a pre-season tour in the United States, where they are scheduled to play up to five matches. Their new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has handpicked a 29-player squad for the tour, aiming to include several promising young talents to bolster the team’s strength.
Nevertheless, a few key players are absent from the squad, raising some eyebrows. One notable absentee is Reece James, who might join the group later, as he recently fell ill and had scans to address a knee issue.
Armando Broja, who suffered a severe knee injury in December, will not be risked during the pre-season, as he continues his rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli and Benoit Badiashile are also unavailable for undisclosed reasons.
However, the biggest concern revolves around the talented Fofana, who appears to be grappling with another knee injury. Since his high-profile £70 million move from Leicester City last summer, Fofana’s playing time has been restricted due to recurring injuries. He made only 12 starts and three substitute appearances across various competitions, with an additional five starts in the Champions League.
According to reports from the Evening Standard, the 22-year-old’s current injury is under evaluation, and the plan is for him to remain at Cobham, the club’s training facility, for further assessment and treatment.
Throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, Fofana has been plagued by persistent injury issues, particularly concerning his knees. In the past, he was sidelined from October until February due to two separate knee problems. Although he made a comeback and participated in 14 of Chelsea’s last 16 Premier League games, his fitness needed careful management on multiple occasions.
Despite hopes that he would be fit to start against Liverpool on the opening day of the season, it seems increasingly unlikely that Fofana will be in optimal condition unless he later joins the squad in the United States. Pochettino, eager to develop solid defensive partnerships, will have to navigate the situation in the coming weeks.
Chelsea’s first friendly match against Wrexham is on Wednesday night, and Pochettino is expected to use as many players from his squad as possible to gradually ease them back into competitive action. The focus will be on ensuring the team is prepared and in good physical shape for the challenges that lie ahead in the forthcoming season.
